| |
 Combining his expertise and the simple truths from his own bones, Lance chose to deliver a highly personal version of Q to his third home region, the Northeast. He terms it "backyard barbecue.” It observes the KC dedication to a strong marriage between patiently tended meats and distinctive sauce. For the meat, there is seasoning, smoking with selected woods, and slow cooking that tenderizes and infuses it with flavor. While each KC barbecue joint individualizes its sauce, there is a recognizable core blending savory, sweet, and spicy (but never too hot) elements. The union of the two components, literally designed to harmonize, is the essence of Kansas City Q. And all of these personal unions are embraced: about 100 Q joints dot metro-KC.
Lance’s "backyard” touch is a home-based finish of grilling. During a conversation in September 2004 with New Jersey reporter Eric Levin, Lance shared these reflections on some contributors to this style:
"My father was a huge Arthur Bryant’s fan. My mom loved Gates barbecue. When I think of classic Kansas City sauce, I think of Gates first. I grew up on Gates. I mean I literally ate there all the time.
"There are so many different types of barbecue in Kansas City. My style is Kansas City backyard barbecue. We had a brick pit in our backyard. The meat is smoked for up to eight hours, but after you put the sauce on it, you caramelize it on the grill. That’s neighborhood stuff. If you want that kind of barbecue in Kansas City, you have to have some friends.”
He also describes how post-pit his mom would grill on "one of those little round Webers, on the patio,” keeping dozens of people happily fed for hours on end. As an adult, Lance got a large Weber and carried on their tradition of delighting and stuffing friends while making passers-by wish that they were guests.
"Barbecue was always something I did at home … I’d invite people over for a cookout. You know, straight from the soul, no recipes.”
|
|
|
| e |
indigo smoke Q | 387 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair | 973-744-3440
Indigo Smoke | 1859 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood | 973-275-6214
|
| Website by: NJ Marketing Group |
|
|
